Ben's Graduation

Ben just graduated from his 3rd year in Primary from Montessori...Silver Door. In the Montessori system, the kids are placed in one class for 3 years, so same teachers, same kids but of course they cycle through w/new kids coming in and the older kids (the "graduates") moving out and up to the "Lower Elementary". It has been the most amazing 3 years to start our Ben in school. To make a long story short, we were ever so lucky to have Todd's step mom, Denise, as Ben's teacher (his grandma!). And the coolest part is that Denise taught Todd when Todd was 4 years old in Montessori back in Brooklyn, NY. This is where the story can get long, so I will end it there!

The black board from Ben's loving teachers, Denise and Carla...



For Denise's gift, we took a picture of Ben and Denise that copied a picture of Todd and Denise 31 years ago, then we had it framed side by side...it really was beautiful. This is Ben giving Denise his present starting w/ the card he handmade her...




Denise looking at her new treasure...

A sweet picture of the teacher, mother, and grandma w/ her boys...we love you Denise!

Malesky Family w/ Denise and Carla...

Ben and his "bros"... (Jack & Bayan)

Ben sitting in his "spot" on the rug for the last time ...

Ben accepting his certificate on stage...

In line waiting for his certificate...

Ben w/ his amazing teachers for 3 years...Carla and Denise...

Auntie Susie there to cheer Ben on...

Ben and Dad...

Mommy, Ben and Dad...

Congratulations Ben...we are so proud of you!

Costa Rica Spring 2009

Well, we did it again...another trip to Costa Rica! Sad to say, but I do believe this 6th trip is our last. Maybe someday we will be back, but with my parents living there is has been an amazing adventure everytime. To pick our final trip, we decided on our favorite resort, Paradisus...our 3rd time there. Not only is it beautiful, but they have kids club from 10am-5pm everyday! Sold! Thanks mom and dad for making every trip a fantastic memory for Todd and I, and especially our boys.
Pictures w/ mom and dad...

Ann and Todd before date night...loved having the grandparents to watch the kids!

Ben and Grammy's Costa Rica project...a 300 piece puzzle! It did get completed!

Grammy and Nick bonding on the trip too...

Grammy and Grandad w/ Nick and Ben...

Too cute!

My favorite part of everyday was meeting up at lunch w/ mom and dad. With the kids in the kids club, us 4 were able to talk, laugh, and play card games for hours!

The boys in the pool...another amazing part of the day. After breakfast we all would go to the pool and hang out from 8:30am until 10am (it would be 85 degrees outside already!)...then the boys were off to the kids club.

Some of the activities we did w/ Ben were kayaking, Todd and Ben went on the Quads down the beach, and following are pictures of our horseback riding excursion...gorgeous!

Bar Mitzvah

We went to Chicago in April for our 2nd Bar Mitzvah! Jon (Kate's husband), son Austin turned 13...and boy, what an event they do! Our first day we met w/ the family for some bowling...

The the final night of the party...the 3 girls ready to go!

During the night of fun...

Trip to Sonoma

In February we had a wonderful trip to visit our dear friends, Clay and Tali Fritz and their 2 children, Cannon and Bianca. We spent Presidents weekend w/ them which happened to fall over Valentines Day as well. We had an AMAZING time w/ them at their Country Club for Valentines Day dinner while the kids were downstairs being watched and having a great time themselves.

Ben and Cannon are only 5 months apart and they have been great friends...still clowning around!

The whole Malesky/Fritz kids crew: Ben, Cannon, Nick and Bianca...

Todd playing w/ the boys...

The boys

First half of 2009 has been fun...here are some pictures of the boys:

Learning how to get along and play...

Ben got the best balloon hat ever!

Ben experienced his first Dodgers game w/ his dad and LOVED IT!

Rode w/ a bunch of guys on the SB Airbus and Ben quickly became part of the big boys when he wore the Manny wig/hat...

Nick at his first day of preschool...why didn't I get him started sooner? He didn't want to leave and I had to drag him out screaming! Few weeks later and he still loves it!

Nick stays protected from big brother by wearing his army hat from possible flying balls...he feels especially vulnerable while talking on the phone w/ his buddies...

We learned how to make a recliner out of our umbrella stroller...it worked great!

Ben

Well, beginning 2009 we had Ben in Basketball...his team - The StormTroopers!
An amazing transition from Soccer to Basketball, I didn't realize how much more coordination was involved w/ basketball. But the team did an amazing job...can't wait 'til next year!

Ben's first experience at Something's Fishy w/ friend Jack...what a blast!